Topuria: “When you knock your opponent down, you can’t stop until the referee steps in”

Just days after making UFC history, Ilia Topuria landed in Spain and faced the media with the confidence of a newly crowned two-division champion. At a promotional event for his new hydration drink, Mucho, the Spanish-Georgian fighter opened up about everything that’s shaken up the MMA world since his knockout win over Charles Oliveira—from claiming the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings to eyeing his next challenge.

I’m unbeatable, says Topuria

“Right now, with a solid training camp, I don’t think anyone out there can beat me,” Topuria declared. “I truly believe I’m the best in the world. I have it in me to develop a strategy that can take down anyone.”

Topuria, beaming alongside his two UFC championship belts, reflected on the electric atmosphere of that career-defining night.

“Those are unforgettable moments—the energy from the crowd in the arena was unreal,” he said. “You can’t even put it into words. I still remember the joy I felt.”

Last Saturday, Topuria pulled off a feat no one else had achieved: he became a dual-weight UFC champion while remaining undefeated. Two belts. Two different weight classes. No losses.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve visualized this moment since I was a kid. I never let go of my dreams, and I always believed this day would come. I’m so proud and grateful for every experience that led me here.”

KO’ed in the first round

Fresh off his historic dual-title win, Ilia Topuria isn’t just celebrating—he’s setting the record straight. The undefeated Spanish-Georgian fighter floored UFC submission king Charles Oliveira in just 2 minutes and 27 seconds, adding another legend to his highlight reel. The bout, didn’t even make it through the first round.

“It was an entertaining fight because I got to showcase all areas of my game—my ground skills, my striking... the full package,” Topuria told Spanish reporters.

When Oliveira—aka “Do Bronx”—hit the mat, Topuria followed up with two decisive strikes. While some casual viewers criticized the finishing sequence as excessive, the champ wasn’t having it.

Topuria answers critics: “I follow the rules”

“It’s not violent—it’s regulated,” he said bluntly. “I had eight people from the Commission go over the rules with me. Once you knock your opponent down, you can’t stop until the ref intervenes. If you hesitate and the ref lets it continue, that’s when real damage can happen. We’re trained for this. Boxing is actually more brutal—there, they’ll count you back in after getting rocked. I fought by the rules, clean. That’s my job.”

🏆 With the win, Topuria jumped to No. 1 in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings, becoming what many now consider the top active fighter in the sport.

“Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about that, but it’s exciting,” he said.

Among his next potential opponents? Longtime rival Islam Makhachev, who recently moved up to welterweight. Topuria’s response: “Totally doable.”

Topuria ready for Paddy the Baddie

And then there’s the headline-grabbing face-off with his archenemy Paddy Pimblett, who stormed the octagon post-fight for an intense staredown.

“If it were up to me, I’d fight Paddy right now. That’s why I brought him in—I think he’s one of the easiest fights out there,” Topuria said. “People come with too many conditions. Then the fight never happens. I’m flexible. That’s going to be a problem for him.”

UFC Spain could finally be a reality... but not before 2026

After Topuria’s victory, UFC President Dana White dropped hints that the long-awaited debut event in Spain may finally be on the horizon.

“If it were up to me, we’d have UFC Spain this Saturday—with Makhachev in the first bout and Paddy in the second,” White said. “But it’s not that simple.”

The timeline? Possibly 2026, depending on TV deals and venue logistics.

“UFC has an existing deal with ESPN, and they’re negotiating a new one that could allow more flexibility for prime-time events in Europe,” Topuria explained. “Once that’s locked in, we’ll know more.”

Topuria hasn’t fought on home soil since 2018, and the hunger to return to a Spanish crowd is unmistakable.

“That last fight in Spain felt special—and that was before all this. Now? It would be unreal,” he concluded.

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